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thrively · 3 weeks ago

Senior Test Engineer, Photonics Systems

Santa Clara, CA

Full-time

Onsite

Senior Level, Lead/Staff

$130K/yr - $200K/yr

6+ years exp

Thrively is partnering with an innovative, well-funded hardware startup at the intersection of MEMS, silicon photonics, and AI-scale infrastructure. The role involves owning system-level silicon photonics testing and characterization, defining test methodologies, developing automation, and ensuring high performance and reliability through hands-on testing.

ConsultingHuman ResourcesRecruiting

Hiring Manager

Brett Connell

Responsibilities

Build end-to-end test readiness for the company’s optical product line, ensuring coverage for all critical performance and reliability metrics

Conduct Measurement System Capability and Process Capability Analysis (MSA/CpK)

Ensure test processes comply with relevant industry standards (e.g., Telcordia, JEDEC)

Design and implement test equipment and fixtures—both internally developed and through external partners

Evaluate and select optical test instruments to ensure required precision and measurement capability

Develop and maintain high-quality Python-based test and process automation

Integrate and debug test hardware/software, defining test cases, parameters, and acceptance criteria

Own troubleshooting and validation of complex electromechanical and optical test stations

Apply Gage R&R, DOE, JMP, MATLAB, and statistical tools to separate signal from noise

Lead structured root-cause investigations (FMEA, 8D, 5-Whys)

Monitor test yield and drive test-process optimization

Collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary engineering teams and contract manufacturers

Produce thorough documentation: test diagrams, engineering drawings, specifications, SOPs, and work instructions

Maintain organized, accessible, and traceable test data

Qualification

Optical EngineeringOptical Test EquipmentPythonLabVIEWTest DevelopmentTroubleshootingCommunicationTeam Collaboration

Required

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field

6+ years of experience in systems engineering or test development within hardware, high-volume manufacturing, or startup environments

4+ years hands-on experience in optical and systems testing focused on singlemode optics and passive components for telecom/datacenter applications

Strong proficiency with optical test equipment, including: OSA, tunable lasers, power meters, polarization synthesizers, OTDR/OFDR/OCCR, phase measurement techniques

Expertise in referencing and calibration for optical test instruments

Strong background in troubleshooting using structured root-cause tools

Ability to read and interpret schematics, block diagrams, and PCB layouts

Proficiency in Python for automation and data analysis

Hands-on experience with LabVIEW and/or NI TestStand

Excellent communication skills for both technical and non-technical audiences